Why transfer your domain to 0724 Hosting?

Transferring your domain to 0724 Hosting offers several advantages for South African users:

  • Centralized management: Manage domains and hosting in one place
  • South African support: Local support team familiar with ZACR and .za domain requirements
  • Competitive pricing: Transparent pricing in South African Rands
  • Free DNS management: Full DNS control through DirectAdmin
  • EFT payment options: Pay via EFT, credit card, or other SA payment methods
  • No downtime: Website and email remain active during transfer
  • Free 1-year extension: Most transfers include a free 1-year registration extension
  • Domain forwarding: Free URL and email forwarding

Before you start: Transfer eligibility

Your domain must meet these requirements:

  • 60-day waiting period: Domain must be at least 60 days old (ICANN policy for .com/.net/.org)
  • No recent transfers: If domain was transferred within the last 60 days, you must wait
  • Domain not expired: Renew expired domains before transferring
  • Not in redemption: Domains in grace or redemption period cannot be transferred
  • No pending legal action: Domains subject to disputes cannot be transferred
  • Access to registrant email: You must receive transfer approval emails

Documents you'll need:

  • EPP/Authorisation code: For international domains (.com, .net, .org, etc.) — see How to Request EPP Code
  • Access to registrant email: Transfer approvals sent to WHOIS registrant email address
  • Current registrar login: To unlock domain and obtain EPP code

Step 1: Prepare domain at current registrar

A. Unlock the domain

  1. Log in to your current registrar's control panel
  2. Navigate to domain management
  3. Find "Registrar Lock", "Domain Lock", or "Transfer Lock" setting
  4. Disable the lock (set to "Unlocked" or "Off")
  5. Some registrars require confirmation via email

B. Obtain EPP/Auth code (international domains only)

For .com, .net, .org and most international domains:

  1. In your current registrar's domain management panel
  2. Look for "EPP Code", "Auth Code", "Authorisation Code", or "Transfer Key"
  3. Click "Get Auth Code" or "Email Auth Code"
  4. Copy the code (usually 8-32 characters, case-sensitive)
  5. Save it securely — you'll need it to initiate the transfer

Note: .za domains (.co.za, .net.za, .org.za) do NOT use EPP codes. Skip this step for .za domains.

C. Verify WHOIS email

  1. Check your domain's WHOIS registrant email address
  2. Ensure it's an email address you can access
  3. Transfer approval emails will be sent to this address
  4. Update WHOIS email if needed before initiating transfer

D. Update DNS records (optional but recommended)

To avoid DNS issues during transfer:

  1. Copy all DNS records from your current registrar (A, MX, CNAME, TXT, etc.)
  2. After initiating transfer, add these records to 0724 Hosting DNS
  3. This ensures no downtime when nameservers are updated

Step 2: Initiate transfer at 0724 Hosting

A. Log in or create account

  1. Go to https://ca.0724.co.za
  2. If you have an account, click Login
  3. If you're new to 0724 Hosting, click Register to create an account first

B. Navigate to domain transfer

There are multiple ways to access domain transfers:

  • Option 1: Click Domains → Transfer Domains in the top menu
  • Option 2: Visit the main domain registration page and select the "Transfer" tab
  • Option 3: Use the domain search box and select "Transfer" option

C. Enter domain to transfer

  1. In the transfer domain search box, enter your domain name (e.g., example.co.za or example.com)
  2. Click Transfer or Check
  3. The client area will verify the domain is eligible for transfer

D. Enter EPP code (if required)

For international domains (.com, .net, .org, etc.):

  1. Enter the EPP/authorisation code you obtained from your current registrar
  2. Ensure it's entered exactly as provided (case-sensitive, no spaces)
  3. Click Continue or Add to Cart

For .za domains: No EPP code required. Click Continue.

E. Configure transfer settings

  • Registration extension: Most transfers include a free 1-year extension (added to your current expiry date)
  • Nameservers: Choose nameserver configuration:
    • Use 0724 Hosting nameservers: ns1.practiwebs.co.za / ns2.practiwebs.co.za (recommended if hosting with us)
    • Keep current nameservers: Maintain existing nameservers during transfer
    • Custom nameservers: Enter your own nameserver addresses
  • WHOIS privacy (optional): Available for international domains (additional fee)

F. Review and add to cart

  1. Review transfer details and pricing
  2. Click Add to Cart or Continue
  3. You can transfer multiple domains in one order

Step 3: Complete transfer order

A. Review order

In your shopping cart, verify:

  • Domain name(s) being transferred
  • Transfer price (usually includes 1-year extension)
  • Nameserver configuration
  • Optional addons (WHOIS privacy, etc.)
  • Total amount due

B. Agree to terms and checkout

  1. Review the Terms of Service
  2. Check the box to agree to terms
  3. Select payment method (EFT, credit card, PayFast)
  4. Click Complete Order

C. Make payment

  • Instant payment (credit card, PayFast): Transfer begins immediately after payment
  • EFT payment: Transfer begins after payment is confirmed (usually within 24 hours)

Step 4: Approve the transfer

For international domains (.com, .net, .org, etc.):

  1. After payment, the registry sends a transfer approval email to your registrant email address
  2. Subject line typically: "Transfer Authorisation for [domain]"
  3. Open the email and click the approval/authorisation link
  4. Approve the transfer when prompted
  5. You may also receive an email from your current registrar asking to cancel/approve
  6. Approve at the gaining registrar (0724 Hosting) OR do nothing at the losing registrar

For .za domains (.co.za, .net.za, .org.za):

  1. ZACR (ZA Central Registry) sends a transfer authorisation email to your registrant email
  2. Subject line typically: "Domain Transfer Authorisation Request"
  3. Open the email and click the approval link
  4. You must approve within the specified timeframe (usually 5-7 days)
  5. Transfer cannot proceed without your explicit approval

Important email notes:

  • Check spam folder: Transfer emails often end up in spam/junk
  • Add to whitelist: Add noreply@icann.org, noreply@enom.com, and registry emails to contacts
  • Act quickly: Some registries have strict timeframes for transfer approval
  • Watch for multiple emails: You may receive emails from both the registry and current/new registrars

Step 5: Transfer completion

Timeline:

  • International domains (.com, .net, .org): 5-7 days (can be expedited by approving at both registrars)
  • .za domains: 1-3 days after approval
  • Expedited transfer: If current registrar approves, transfer can complete in 1-2 hours
  • Auto-completion: If no action is taken, transfers auto-complete after 5-7 days (international domains only)

What happens during transfer:

  • Your website stays online: No downtime if DNS settings are maintained
  • Email continues working: MX records remain active
  • Domain remains accessible: All services continue functioning
  • Nameservers may change: Only if you selected new nameservers during transfer

After transfer completes:

  1. You receive a confirmation email from 0724 Hosting
  2. Domain appears in your "My Domains" section
  3. You can now manage the domain fully in the client area
  4. Domain typically has a 1-year extension added (check new expiry date)
  5. Enable registrar lock to prevent unauthorized transfers

Post-transfer setup

If you changed nameservers to 0724 Hosting:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for DNS propagation
  2. Log in to DirectAdmin (via the client area Services)
  3. Add the domain as an addon domain
  4. Configure DNS records (A, MX, CNAME, etc.)
  5. Upload website files or restore from backup
  6. Set up email accounts

If you kept existing nameservers:

  • No changes needed — domain continues using current DNS
  • Update nameservers later if you want to use 0724 Hosting DNS
  • Domain management (renewal, WHOIS, registrar lock) is now done in the client area

Common domain transfer issues

Transfer fails: "Invalid EPP code"

If the EPP code is rejected:

  • Verify EPP code is entered exactly as provided (case-sensitive)
  • Check for leading/trailing spaces
  • Request a new EPP code from your current registrar (codes can be regenerated)
  • Ensure domain is unlocked

Transfer fails: "Domain not eligible"

Common eligibility issues:

  • 60-day lock: Domain registered or transferred within last 60 days
  • Domain expired: Renew domain before transferring
  • Redemption period: Domain in grace/redemption cannot be transferred
  • Domain locked: Unlock at current registrar
  • Pending delete: Domain scheduled for deletion cannot be transferred

Didn't receive transfer approval email

If you don't receive the approval email:

  1. Check spam/junk folders thoroughly
  2. Verify WHOIS registrant email is correct and accessible
  3. Check all email addresses on the domain (admin, tech, billing contacts)
  4. Request email resend in client area domain management
  5. Contact support if email still not received after 24 hours

Current registrar denies transfer

Some registrars may try to prevent transfers:

  • 60-day lock: Legitimate if domain was recently registered or transferred
  • Outstanding balance: Pay any unpaid invoices at current registrar
  • Dispute or lock: Resolve any legal holds or disputes
  • Improper denial: If denied without valid reason, file a complaint with ICANN

Transfer taking too long

If transfer is delayed:

  1. Check if you approved the transfer at both registrars
  2. Contact your current registrar to approve/expedite
  3. Transfers auto-complete in 5-7 days if losing registrar doesn't respond
  4. Contact 0724 Hosting support for status updates

Transfer pricing and billing

Transfer costs:

  • Transfer fee: Same as annual renewal price for the domain extension
  • 1-year extension included: Most transfers add 1 year to current expiry date
  • .za domains: Transfer may or may not include extension (depends on ZACR policy)
  • No hidden fees: Transfer price includes registration extension

Current registration not lost:

  • Remaining time at current registrar is preserved
  • Transfer adds 1 year on top of existing expiry
  • Example: Domain expires in 6 months → after transfer, expires in 18 months

Special considerations for .za domains

.za domain transfer process differences:

  • No EPP codes: .za domains do not use authorisation codes
  • Email approval required: Must approve via ZACR email link
  • Unlock still required: Must disable registrar lock before transfer
  • Faster transfers: Usually complete within 1-3 days after approval
  • ZACR involvement: All .za transfers go through ZA Central Registry

.za transfer checklist:

  1. Unlock domain at current registrar
  2. Verify WHOIS registrant email is accessible
  3. Initiate transfer at 0724 Hosting (no EPP code needed)
  4. Pay transfer fee
  5. Wait for ZACR email
  6. Click approval link in ZACR email
  7. Transfer completes within 1-3 days

Bulk domain transfers

If transferring multiple domains:

  • Add multiple domains to cart in one session
  • Complete one order for all domains
  • Each domain requires its own EPP code (for international domains)
  • Each domain sends a separate approval email
  • For large bulk transfers (50+ domains), contact support for assistance

Transfer vs new registration

Should you transfer or register new?

Transfer if:

  • Domain is already registered and you want to keep it
  • Domain has established SEO, backlinks, and reputation
  • Business cards, marketing materials use this domain
  • Email addresses use this domain

Register new if:

  • Domain is about to expire and transfer won't complete in time (renew first, then transfer)
  • Current domain name is not ideal for your business
  • You want a fresh start with a better domain name

Getting help with domain transfers

If you need assistance transferring domains, troubleshooting transfer issues, or have questions about the process, contact 0724 Hosting support. We can help with:

  • Verifying domain transfer eligibility
  • Troubleshooting EPP code and unlock issues
  • Resending transfer approval emails
  • Expediting pending transfers
  • Bulk domain transfers (50+ domains)
  • Resolving transfer failures and denials
  • Understanding .za domain transfer requirements